The conference – which intended to create a sense of unity among local women of different backgrounds and religions – was open to women ages 18 and older in Irvine and bordering areas.

Presenters spoke to nearly 500 people in workshop sessions that covered topics ranging from the uplifting power of community service, to penny-pinching and money saving tips, to emergency preparedness.

"It brought together a significant group of people that had not previously had the opportunity," said Daniel Rasmussen, president of the Irvine stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which organized the event. "And when you know people and you can talk to them face-to-face, it helps to alleviate other concerns or biases or prejudices from before."

Peter Vidmar of San Clemente, who is the highest scoring American gymnast in Olympic history, spoke on the power of optimism.

Vidmar addressed more than 50 women on how positivity and stamina helped him succeed in his gymnastics career.

He linked his persistence throughout the Olympic games, and other qualities, to how people can experience their own successes in business and other aspects of life.

Couple Todd and Jill Huisken, who are both of the Mormon faith and have been married for 22 years, talked to a small group of women on how to strengthen a marriage.

Todd, the clinical director at LDS Family Services, and Jill, a stay-at-home mom, provided tips on ways that they have managed to keep their marriage strong, including setting aside time each day for one another.

The Huiskens said when Todd returns home from work each day, the couple shares time in an enclosed room away from their children.

Renata Spironel – a senior Harmonyum practitioner, Naam Yogi and Universal Kabbalah teacher – taught a room full of women about the techniques and posture that she says can renew, rebuild and reprogram the body, mind and spirit.

At the end of the conference, attendees were treated to a complimentary lunch.

Farrah Khan, of the Muslim faith, said she was able to meet women of different faiths which she normally would not get the opportunity to do.

She expressed excitement about the different women that she met and that she will likely run into again.

"As women we need to learn more about each other," Khan said. "We can go home and talk to our husbands and children, [but] in here, they're not only representing faith, they [touched] a common ground. This conference has been a great binding source for women to come together and to know more about each other's faith and to find common ground."

Rasmussen said the event was a success. He would like The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints to host it again.

"As a community outreach, our goal and thought was that the better we know each other, the better we can cooperate in the future to meet the needs of those less fortunate [and] to rally in case of emergencies [and] to break up barriers of discrimination and bias," he said.

Nancy Davis, a cancer survivor, speaks to a room filled with women on how to handle unexpected challenges in life. COURTESY KATHE ESPINILI
Scott Muir talks to a room filled with women on parenting skills that are important to have in today's modern world. COURTESY KATHE ESPINILI
Close to 500 women representing 26 various faiths attended the Irvine Women's Interfaith Conference, which was intended to draw unity between local women. COURTESY KATHE ESPINILI
Close to 500 women of 26 different faiths attended the Irvine Women's Interfaith Conference on Sept. 15. COURTESY KATHE ESPINILI
From left to right: Jill Lutz, Dr. Salma Shabaik, Dr. Juliana Gerace and Janelle Slipp pose at the women's conference. Some of the women spoke on their varying faiths during the event. COURTESY KATHE ESPINILI
Presenter Molly Fini, who owns her own catering company, speaks to women about creative holiday gift ideas. The idea of the conference was to unite women through topics that all women can relate to. COURTESY KATHE ESPINILI
The Irvine Women's Interfaith Conference brought together women of 26 various faiths. More than 500 women attended the conference. COURTESY KATHE ESPINILI

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